Static and dynamic balance in physically active females with pronated feet

Understanding and assessing static and dynamic balance and their relationship with the function of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot is crucial for people with pronated feet.

This study aimed to assess the medial longitudinal arch height and postural balance in physically active females with pronated feet.

A case-control study. The participants were divided into two groups based on their Foot Posture Index (FPI) scores: females with bilateral foot pronation (n = 33) and the control group with normal feet (n = 30). A Navicular Drop Test (NDT) and Knee-to-Wall Test (KTW) were used to assess foot and ankle function. Static balance was assessed using the Stork Balance Test (SBT) and Tandem Stance (TS). Dynamic balance was assessed using the Y-Balance Test (Y-BT). Physical activity was assessed using the total score of the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

There was a lack of differences in static balance between pronated and normal feet groups in SBT and TS. The Y-BT anterior reaching depends on foot posture in favor of a pronated foot (p = .04). Correlation also showed a significant relationship between Y-BT components and NDT (r = 0.33, p = .01) and between KTW and NDT (r = 0.30, p = .02).

These results may suggest that foot pronation can be associated with dynamic balance in some directions. However, given that most comparisons did not show significant differences, the relationship between foot posture and functional assessment remains unclear.